10 Offbeat North Carolina Towns To Visit In 2025
North Carolina may be widely known for its Blue Ridge views, Smoky Mountain trails, and mouthwatering barbecue, but it also has a quirkier side that tends to surprise visitors. In some of North Carolina’s smaller towns, travelers will stumble upon filming locations for beloved movies and TV shows, 100-mile-long yard sales, and even herds of wild horses. If you are looking to explore the road less traveled in the Tar Heel State, these 10 offbeat North Carolina towns to visit in 2025 are sure to surprise you.
Mount Airy
Fans of "The Andy Griffith Show" should add Mount Airy to their itinerary this year, as the town that largely inspired the setting of the sitcom. Visitors can start their tour at the Andy Griffith Museum, which is home to the world’s largest collection of memorabilia and props from the show. Afterwards, they can stop by the Andy Griffith Playhouse, where Andy Griffith performed during the 1930s and 1940s, with the venue now holding year-round classes, productions, and concerts. For a mid-day meal, grab lunch at Snappy Lunch, a nostalgic-style diner that Andy Griffith once ate at as a child.
Smithfield
If you love a good yard sale, you will want to make sure to visit Smithfield this June. On June 21 and June 22, Johnston County and neighboring counties and towns host the annual 301 Endless Yard Sale, in which residents and business owners from all over come together to sell clothes, kitchenware, toys, vintage records, and more. The most interesting part? The sale stretches for more than 100 miles! For even more shopping, consider visiting the Carolina Premium Outlets afterwards, home to a wide range of upscale brands like Nike, Michael Kors, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Travelers interested in the life of famed actress Ava Gardner will also appreciate the Ava Gardner Museum, which exhibits movie memorabilia and costumes from her career.
Beaufort
Did you know that North Carolina is home to herds of wild horses? If you want to see these horses for yourself, Beaufort is the town for you. Here, visitors can book a tour with Shackleford Wild Horse and Shelling Safari, which takes guests along the shores of Shackleford Banks to see one of the last remaining isolated horse herds in the country. If you want to further explore Beaufort’s coastal location, consider arranging a rental with Beaufort Paddle, which offers single kayak, tandem kayak, and SUP board rentals that visitors can launch from the outfitter’s private dock in town. Concluding an afternoon of kayaking, hungry visitors can enjoy dinner at Aqua, an innovative restaurant that has been specializing in tapas and seafood since 2003.
Little Switzerland
Named for its striking resemblance to the foothills of the Swiss Alps, Little Switzerland makes visitors feel as if they have stepped into the heart of Europe. Motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts will love a trip down The Diamondback, a 12-mile route in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with around 190 twists and turns. In July and August, swing by Geneva Hall on Saturday evenings for a night of square dancing with the local community. For an unforgettable dinner, visitors can dine at the Chalet Restaurant, where panoramic windows offer incredible mountain views and the menu features delicious dishes like steaks, salmon, scallops, and pork chops.
Bryson City
Bryson City offers plenty to see and do, but one of its most unexpected attractions is the Road to Nowhere. This oddly named route winds through the Great Smoky Mountains and ends abruptly at a tunnel deep in the forest. Originally intended as part of a scenic highway project that was never finished, the 3.2-mile loop and eerie tunnel entrance now make for a fun and slightly mysterious hike. In the summer, visitors can also go tubing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with Deep Creek being a popular spot from around May through Labor Day. At the end of the day, unwind at one of Bryson City’s breweries, such as Mountain Layers Brewing Company, an award-winning microbrewery that serves blondes, IPAs, stouts, and lagers, among other beer varieties.
West Jefferson
Christmas may be months away, but visitors can get a festive preview in West Jefferson during its annual Christmas in July Festival. The festival, taking place on July 4 and July 5 this year, features lots of good food, handmade arts and crafts, traditional mountain music, and more to celebrate the beloved holiday. Cheese lovers will want to visit West Jefferson as well, home to Ashe County Cheese. This shop has been making cheese since 1930, with visitors able to learn about the cheese-making process in the shop’s viewing room year-round. Travelers can step back in time, meanwhile, at the Parkway Theater, a historic local landmark with an art deco facade that continues to show films today.
Sylva
As one of the filming sets for the famous movie, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” film fans will love visiting Sylva. Throughout town, visitors can stop by landmarks from the film, including Welby’s Office, the police station, and the high school, putting themselves into the shoes of the main protagonists. For views from above, travelers can also opt for an afternoon of hiking at Pinnacle Park, which ascends The Pinnacle, a rugged peak that lies on the edge of the Plott Balsam mountain range. In November, the town hosts the annual WNC Pottery Festival, in which over 40 master potters come to town to showcase their work. Of course, a trip to Sylva isn't complete without a trip to the American Museum of the House Cat.
Beech Mountain
As the highest town in the Eastern United States, there are plenty of outdoor recreational activities in Beech Mountain. Each Saturday and Sunday from June 7 through August 31 of this year, travelers can sign up for Mile High Yoga, a series of yoga classes that take place at an altitude of over 5,500 feet and are friendly to all ability levels. Hikers and bikers can also take in the mountain scenery along the Emerald Outback Trails, a seven-mile network of forested trails near town. In the evening, travelers can grab a bite at Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria, a beloved pizza joint that also has a mini golf course, live music, summer movie nights, and an arcade.
Hot Springs
North Carolina’s only natural hot springs are found in the small town of Hot Springs. Travelers hoping to access these relaxing waters can do so at the Hot Springs Resort & Spa, a 100-acre property with natural mineral waters that connect to jetted hot tubs. Besides unwinding in the town’s hot springs, visitors can explore the art scene. Gallery 339 HotSprings is a good starting point, showcasing both two and three-dimensional art from regional artists. To savor a hot drink while taking in even more art, stop by Artisun Gallery and Cafe, a cozy spot that combines a gallery with a coffee shop. Finally, in the summer, the town celebrates at the Wild Goose Festival, a lively and welcoming music and arts festival,
Blowing Rock
Travelers wanting to transport back to the Wild West can easily do so in Blowing Rock, home to the Tweetsie Railroad park. This wild-west themed park features a variety of rides and attractions, including 20th-century historic trains, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and turnpike cruisers, among many other attractions. For even more quirky fun, head over to Mystery Hill, a roadside attraction with a unique lineup of activities like gravitational anomalies, gem mining, a bull riding challenge, and axe throwing. From May through October, Blowing Rock’s art community comes to life during the Blowing Rock Art in the Park series. Composed of six shows, each event includes nearly 100 juried artisans, giving you the chance to find the perfect jewelry, photograph, or painting.
With the summer coming up, it is possible that you are already making your vacation plans. If you are craving something different this year, don’t be afraid to travel off the beaten path and explore some of the state’s smaller towns. In places like Blowing Rock, you can experience the wild west, while towns like Hot Springs allow you to relax in their hot mineral waters. No matter what kind of itinerary you have in mind, each of these towns offers a unique travel experience that is sure to leave you with lasting memories.
